Torrance Burglary Lawyer

Burglary Defense Attorney in Torrance, CA

Burglary is considered a serious offense. A first-degree burglary conviction can result in you having to serve up to six years in the state penitentiary. Moreover, a first-degree burglary is a strike under California’s Three Strikes Law. Additionally, because the stigma of dishonesty is attached to the crime, it is extremely difficult to secure employment or commercial or professional licensure with a conviction of burglary on your record.

That’s why it’s extremely important to hire one of our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers to defend you against this most serious offense.

California Penal Code 459 states that breaking into any building with intent to steal is considered a felony. To charge you with a felony, the state only has to prove that you entered a building with the intent or purpose to steal. None of the alleged stolen items need to be recovered to bring a case against you. There are two types of burglary: first degree and second degree.

A first-degree burglary typically takes place in an occupied residence, such as a home. If found guilty of first-degree burglary, the guilty party may be placed on probation or may serve a prison sentence for a maximum of six years. In California, a burglary is a “strike,” which requires the guilty party to serve 85 percent of the sentence. Strikes always affect the amount of time the guilty party must be imprisoned, with each strike prolonging the term of imprisonment. If you are convicted of a third strike, you may be issued a life sentence.

A second-degree burglary generally takes place in an unoccupied building and is commonly referred to as a commercial burglary. If you walk into a store with the intent to steal merchandise, you can be charged with second-degree burglary. If the items stolen amount to under $400, the charge will most likely be a misdemeanor. If the stolen goods amount to over $400, the charge will most likely be filed as a felony. In California, commercial burglary is not a strike, and in many cases the sentence can be reduced.

What Are Your Rights When You Are Arrested For A Torrance Burglary?

If you are arrested for a burglary like these two suspects in a north Torrance neighborhood, there can be serious consequences. Exactly what rights do you have when you are initially arrested?

First off, while police are not legally required to read your rights, they cannot use anything you say as evidence against you if they do not read your rights, provided that you are not in police custody. That being said, if the police neglect to read you your rights, you will not get dismissed from your crime altogether, as some people incorrectly believe.

What exactly are these rights, also known as the Miranda warning? A formal Miranda warning can involve a variation of the following statements:

1. You have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer questions. Do you understand?
2. Anything you do say may be used against you in a court of law. Do you understand?
3. You have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future. Do you understand?
4. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you wish. Do you understand?
5. If you decide to answer questions now without an attorney present, you will still have the right to stop answering at any time until you talk to an attorney. Do you understand?
6. Knowing and understanding your rights as I have explained them to you, are you willing to answer my questions without an attorney present?

It is important to note that basic questions such as name, Social Security number and address do not need a Miranda warning to remain admissible in the court of law.

Have you or someone you know been arrested for burglary? Contact Ernenwein & Mathes, LLP, to obtain a completely free consultation with one of our experienced Torrance criminal defense attorneys.

Ernenwein & Mathes, LLP, has experienced and aggressive Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers with over 60 combined years of experience defending persons accused of burglary.

Robert Ernenwein is a former Los Angeles deputy district attorney and is certified as a Criminal Law Specialist by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. He has been selected for inclusion in California Super Lawyers for several years and has appeared as a legal analyst on multiple cable news programs, including Fox News.

Contact Our Torrance, CA Burglary Lawyers Today

We are skilled and experienced Torrance criminal defense lawyers, and we will use all available defenses to protect you against a conviction. We have over 60 combined years of experience defending people accused of burglary and other crimes.

Call us at 310-375-5858 or email us immediately for your free consultation.